Spring reaction neutralizer



R. M. CROSS SPRING REACTION NEUTRALIZER Feb. 113, 1934.

Filed July 7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l A. 4 #0 M m 5 W .3 8 W 5 H B W a 0 W4 /m 4 H a 4 M: w 4 7 MIL F 9 zwi/fl/ 8 m w m e H w 9 m w x INVENTORHUBER/g3 M CROSS ATTORNEY Feb, 13, 1934., R. M. CROSS SPRING REACTIONNEUTRALIZER iled July 7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR M. CROSS m mi4: A TTORNE Y Patented Feb. 13, 1934 7 UNITED" ATESP'iRATENT.JIOFHCEE.

SPRING REACTION NEUTRALIZER 1 Roderio=;- M;:':Cr0SS', Minneapolis, Minn;asslgnor: iii? to GrosvenonM; Gross, Newton-CenterJMass;

Application'xlul'y 7, E1928. Serial No: 2913016 9 Claims;(-Gl'.:-;126718)1t2s This invention relates to .-new-:-and.usefulim-mdrawings and will be pointed out in: the annexed provementsin'spring reactionmeutralizers,sand claims. r a moreparticularly1-to.-such=edevices .of the-type- Inthe accompanying.drawings-there has-been 1 adapted for use in connection with-motorvehicle disclosedra structure designed :to carry outthe springs. -1various 'objectsof the invention, but it isto be -'60= An object ofigthepresent; inventionis: to prounderstood that the invention is notconfined tovide a spring reaction-neutralizer comprisinganthe exactieaturesshown as various changesmayv member adapted to be securedsetmthe-vehicle :beimade within the scopeof the claims which chassis,'and.acasing;mountedforrelativeorotary ifollow. movement upon saidchassis-and connected iWith"? -lnthe accompanyingdrawings forming partof 65 the vehicle axleinaflmannerto :cause;thecas-.: ,th.isspecificatiomri a. 7

ing to be relatively rotateduponthemember; uFigure tlz iswa' viewillustrating a portion; of a. when the-vehicle spring on-springs-flexhecause, -motr vehicle with-the invention'applied thereto; ofirregularities-inrtheroad-way andrmeans be-ts Figure 2xis-ranenlargedsectional-view? on the r ing provided in connection withsaimmemberandline,22. of Figure 4,cshowing the partsin normal, .70casing permitting: freedom of: movement of. the position; 1:;

casing in. either directionzfrom-a normalgpositiorr, Figure 3 isasimilar view, showing ,a--position;-- but resistingfthe return movementof .the casing; assumed; .by;:the' parts; when the vehicle wheel: 1/such resistanceacting to oppose :ori;,neutralize-sstrikes abump inthe:roadway;

that force'ofreactionwwhich the differences,- Figure 4 a sectionalvplan-view on the line.75 between ther-weight resting upon the springand Afiiof Figure 2 ;-,and

the total" force stored with-in the-spring c Figure :.isa.verticalsectional viewon the line w;

A further-object ofithe inventionis to,provide;. 5: gure 2, S wthe'DiStOn in leva onj a spring reaction neutralizercomprising-ameni-I.n. the selected embodiment-of the invention i:.::i

ber adaptedtozbe securedrtothe vehicle ohassis,-,- here shown, there isillustratedfor purp ses of so and a casing mountedion-relativenmovement--.Qi ,010 motor Vehicle p upon said memberlzanda:cooperatingtherewithr; ingfthe'chessis side beam 2911(3- front e 3, 0011s toprovide :a. "fluid-might ;,chamber; saidrcasing wne ie W e chassis'bymeans of ai-splmg having a'iconnection with the vehicle axle1sotha't'shown as beingiof the Semi-Elliptic ype I when the axle' is movedrelativertosthe chassis, The invention-comprises m r 5 having a thecasing will'partiallyxrotate uponthe zmem==Wlullfldricaleoff'set'portion 6, adapted to be Secured 1 her, acylinder: piston smtablesvvalve toasupport-such as-the side beam 2 oftheivehicle mechanisms within the-above mentionedmem Phasisisi means ofSuitable 130117575 as-shown ber adapted: to control fiuid circulationinzthe i Figure 5- lTheimemher 5 has a annular flange chamber said partsbeingarranged' to permit 'F n 1S cyhnqrlcel and mat freedomof movementof the casing upon the fi q tomtatably'reflcewe Open (at member; whenthe vehicle spring is flexed in rlone-lslde andr'threaded at receivecoYerr either direction -f-rom"normal,' but resisting the PI-aitelz'mha'vmg central bore adapted return movement of the spring t normal,thef portions'of'the member 5*The'pack resisting forces neutralizing thereactiveforces has an artnular reces? adapted t 163F995 stored in thevehicle spring when flexed. Genie sfmtablekpackmg retamed: theyemrby"The particular object of: the invention-,the'regg' f j g fgggg V fore,1s torpiovide an improved spiing IBaCtIOII" abbve described, define afiuid tight chamber 24 neutralizer, "more particularlyadapted for use ti in connectionzwith' vehicle springs;ato neutralize-?iggfg ghg f anmelastlc (See Flg the reactive forces stored therein when flexed in':ACYlinder having lugs 16 thereon is either direction from normal. .7The present inwithin h 'casmg 9 and securedihereto v 1 is an f Over FStructure means ofcsuitablebolts as shown in Figures 2, 3, Shown Pendmgapphcatlmfi Senal 233;? l and 4. The upper end of the cylinder 15 isthreadfiled November 171 9 Patent 1,797, cc. to receive a flangedcap 17having an air vent March 1931, (1853011113 pp nby the ISWtherein topermit escape of the entrapped air. I inventor. hereof and GrosvenorvM.Crossr 1 i A h ll p1unger 1-9-j mQVab1y mounted Within Other objectsoftheinvention willappear from-. .thecy1inder;15 and has a head 21provided at its 1 the following. description andnaccompanying 'rlOWBI'end, adapted-toride upona cam surface 22, preferably integrally formedwith the annular flange 8 of the member 5, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.Inclined intake apertures 23 are provided in the head 21 and establishcommunication between the fluid chamber 24 and the interior of theplunger 19.

An intake valve 25 is mounted in a valve seat member 26, provided at thelower end ofthe plunger 19 adjacent to the apertures'23. The member 26has a guide adapted to receive the valve stem 2'7. A compression spring28 has one end seated against the valve seat member 26 and its oppositeend against a pin 29, mounted in the lower end of the valve stem 2'7.This spring normally retains the valve 25 in closed position'a's shownin Figure 2. The valve seatinember 26'is also provided withfluid-circulating passages 31, shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and3."

The plunger head 21 is provided with projections 20 received in notches30 provided in the lower edge of the cylinderwall 15. These projectionsand notches co-operate to prevent relative rotation of the plunger withrespect to the cylinder. The plunger head 21 is forcibly held in contactwith the cam surface 22 by means of a compression spring '40, mountedwithin the plunger and having one end seated against the cap 17 andits'opposite end against a-spacing member 50 engaged with the valve seatmember 26. "The spacing member 59 has a central opening permitting fluidflow therethrough.

Means are provided for controllingthe circulation of 'fluid through'thehollow plunger 19 and cylinder 15, when the neutralizes is actuated byrelative mo'vement of the vehicle axle,with respect to the chassis 2.Such means is shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, and comprises a valve seatmember 32 having a threaded extension 33 received in a threaded socket34, provided at the upper end of the cylinder 15, as shown in Figure 2.The extension 33 has a bore 35 establishing communication betweentheinterior of thecylinder and a bore 36, provided in the member '32. Afluid control valve 37, having a stem 38 is movably mounted inthe member32'and is normally retained in valve-closing position by means of acompression spring 39, having one'end seated against the valve head 37and its upper end against the bottom of asocket 41, provided in anadjusting screw 42 mounted in the upright wall of the casing 9. (SeeFigure 4.) A look nut 43 is received in threaded engagement with theadjusting nut 42 and provides means for locking the latter in adjustedpositions in the wall of the casing 9. The tension of the spring 39controls the discharge of fluid from the cylinder 15 and shown in Figure2. The casing 9 has an arm 44 on one side thereof provided with asuitable ball 45 to which one'end of a connecting rod 46 is connected,the opposite end of which is similarly connected to the vehicle axle 3,as shown in Figure 1.

The valve stem 38 of the valve 37 has a reduced portion 4'7, thusproviding an annular shoulder 48, the effective area of which isrelatively less than the effective area of the valve head 37, 'as shownin Figure 4. Thus, when the pressure fluid is forced into the bore 36,it will act against the shoulder 48, thus partially balancing the valve37. The valve, however, will open against the tension of the spring 39because of the increased effective ar'ea of the bottom of the valve head37.

The casing 9 is provided at its upper end with a filler pipe 49 and plug51, through which a suitable fluid may be introduced into the chamber24. A drain plug 52 is provided at the bottom of the casing, throughwhich the fluid may be drained from the chamber.

In the operation of this novel spring reaction neutralizer, the partswill normally be positioned as shownin Figure 2, with the valves 25 and37 in closed position. When the vehicle wheel 53 encounters a bump inthe road way, the axle 3 will be moved upwardly relative to the chassisframe 2, therebyrelatively rotating the casing 9 upon the member 5,because of its connection with the axle by means of the connection 46.Such -movement of' the casing 9 upon the member 5, will cause thecylinder and piston to partially rotate within the chamber 24, as aresult of these parts being connected with the casing 9, as previouslydescribed.

During such movement of the cylinder and plunger, the latter will beforced downwardly within the cylinder by the'action of the spring 49.

thereby causing the intake valve 25 to open against the tension of thespring 28, and permitting additional fluid to enter the plunger andcylinder, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3.

Return movement of the vehicle spring 4 from an abnormal or flexedposition,-to its normal position, will be resisted by the action of thecontrol valve 37, which tends to remain in closed posi tion because ofthe spring 39 acting thereagainst. The valve 37 therefore tends toprevent the discharge of fluid from the cylinder, but, as the vehiclespring 4 returnsto normal position, the

plunger head 21 will be moved upwardly, because 'of its engagement withthe cam surface 22, re- 1 sulting in the intake valve 25' closing andthe conment of the adjusting screw 42 will control the action of thevalve 37, and provides means for varying the resistive forces acting toprevent the casing 9 to return from the-position shown in Figure 3, toits normal position, shown in Figure 2, sothat such forces-may beadjusted to substan-.

tially neutralize the reactive forces stored in the vehicle springwhenin'a position other than normal. Conversely,'when the vehicle wheeldrops into a depression in the road surface, the casing 9 will berotated in the opposite direction from normal, causing the plunger headto engage the cam surface upon the opposite side of the vertical. Thereturn to normal position of the casing 9, and therefore the vehicleaxle 3, will be controlled by the action of the control valve 37 in 'amanner similar to that above described with reference to Figure 3.

The novel spring reaction neutralizer featured in this inventioncomprises few parts and is comparatively lightin weight. The largesurface between the annular flange of the casing 9 and the annularflange 8 of the member 5, provides a large bearing area or surface whichis thoroughly lubricated because of suitable grooves 54 provided in theannular flange 8 of the member 5, and further, because of the chamber 24being substantially filled with a suitable non-elastic lubricatingfluid. The relatively small area of the mounting surface and generalshape of the neutralizer, also eliminates much interference anddiftlculty in mounting. It will also be noted that no roller 01' ballbearings are used in the construcacr mi 3 tion thereof thereby greatlyreducing, the embertuapeew be secured to a vehicle chassis, 1

w balanced control Valve adjustment nection with the-vehic e 2x16 andcoop rating wit of the device and-also'permits the use oflightei "thememb'er twdefine' an oil tight chamber} an 1 parts. It-will also benoted--tha't the' device' p'ro'"ih'elastic fluid in said chamber,acylinder secured manufacturef "Thenovel-design oft'he' partially "aba'singo'n said member'havinganoperative con vides its own-oil'chamben'no auxiliary oilr'eser voirs being-necessar an. s

I claim y inventiont member adapted to- *be secured tO a vehiclechassis,-a-* casing mounted on said member-=*an"' L having 'anarmadapted to'be-=connected*to the ve hicle axlejsaidmember andcasingcooperating-todefine an oiltight chamber, =an 'in'elastic fluid -inthechamber',-acylindersecured to'tlfe casing within said chamber,aspring-actuated fluid eontrol valve at on'e end 'of the cylinderfiahollow plunger movable in the cylinder-"and havirfg an intake valve-atoneend thereof, and means for actuating said plunger, when said casingis relatively rotated upon the member, said valves controlling the flowof fluid through said cylinder and plunger in a manner to permit freedomof movement of the casing in either direction from normal, but resistingreturn movement of the casing.

2. A spring reaction neutralizer comprising a member adapted to besecured to a vehicle chassis,

a casing mounted on said member and having an armadapted to be connectedto the vehicle axle,

said member and casing cooperating to define an oil tight chamber, aninelastic fluid in the chamber, a cylinder secured to the casing withinsaid chamber, a spring-actuated control valve at the upper end of thecylinder, a hollow plunger movable in the cylinder and having an intakevalve at its lower end, a cam adapted to actuate said plunger when saidcasing is relatively rotated upon the member, one of said valvespermitting unrestricted flow of fluid into said cylinder and plunger,when the casing is rotated in either direction from normal, and theother valve tending to prevent discharge of fluid from said cylinder andplunger to resist return movement of the casing to normal.

3. A spring reaction neutralizer comprising a member having means forsecuring it to a vehicle chassis, an annular flange on said member, acasing rotatably mounted upon said member and having an arm adapted forconnection with the vehicle axle whereby relative movement of the axlewill relatively rotate said casing, a fluid chamber defined by saidmember and easing, an

inelastic fluid therein, a cylinder mounted upon said casing within thechamber and having a partially balanced spring-actuated discharge valveat the upper end thereof, a hollow plunger within the cylinder having ahead at one end thereof, an intake valve in the plunger adjacent to saidhead, a cam on said member, a spring constantly holding said plungerhead against said cam, said spring causing the plunger to be moveddownwardly when said casing is moved in either direction from normal,whereby said intake valve is opened to permit fluid to flow from thechamber into said plunger, return movement of the casing being resistedby the action of said cylinder discharge valve which constantly tends toprevent discharge of fluid from the cylinder as the casing is returnedto normal position, such resistive forces" substantially neutralizingthe reactive ferces storedin the vehicle spring with which the deviceisassociated, when the vehicle spring is in abnormal position.

4. K spring reaction neutralizer comprising a -"to*the casing withinthechamber a spring -actuer movable-in the cylinderand having'anintake 1. A spring reaction-*neutralizer cdmprising a valve, a' c'amadapted to "actuate -s'aid-=plunger when saidcasingis-'relatively'rotated' upon the memben-one of said valvespermittingunrestrict ed flow of fluid into -said' cylinder and plunger, I when thecasing is' rotated' in either direction from normalfand-the other valvetending to' pre I vent discharge of E fluid *from said-' cylinder andplunger-to resist'return movement of the casing 4S spring, a casingrotatably mounted on said member and having means for connecting it withthe vehicle axle whereby relative movement of the axle will relativelyrotate said casing, a fluid chamber defined by said member and easing,an inelastic fluid therein, a cylinder mounted on the casing and havinga partially balanced springactuated discharge valve, a hollow plungerwithin the cylinder having a head at one end thereof, an

intake valve in the plunger adjacent to said head,

a cam on said member, means constantly holding to normal position, suchresistive forces substantially neutralizing the reactive forces storedin the vehicle spring when said vehicle spring is in abnormal position.

6. A spring reaction neutralizer comprising a casing having a chamberadapted to contain an inelastic fluid, a cylinder movably mounted with Asaid casing, a spring-actuated control valve at one end of the cylinder,a hollow plunger movable in the cylinder and having an intake valve, acam adapted to actuate said plunger when said cylinder is relativelymoved with the casing, one of said valves permitting unrestricted flowof fluid into said cylinder and plunger, when the casing is moved ineither direction from normal, and

the other valve tending to prevent discharge of fluid from said cylinderand plunger to resist return movement of the cylinder to normal.

'7. A spring reaction neutralizer comprising a casing having a chambertherein adapted to contain an inelastic fluid, a cylinder mounted formovement with said casing, a partially balanced spring-actuateddischarge valve at one end of the cylinder, a hollow plunger within thecylinder provided with a head, an intake valve in the plunger adjacentto said head, a cam within .i

the casing, a spring constantly holding said plunger head against saidcam, said spring causing the plunger tobe moved in one direction whensaid casing is moved in either direction from normal, whereby saidintake valve is opened to permit fluid to flow from the chamber intosaid plunger,.return movement of the casing to normal being resisted bythe action of said cylinder discharge valve which constantly tends toprevent discharge of fluid from the cylinder as Si A spring reactionneutralizer comprising a memberhaving 'means for 'securing i-t to -aVehicle ago the casing is returned to normal position, such resistiveforces substantially neutralizing the reactive forces stored in thevehicle spring with which the device is associated, when said vehiclespring is in abnormal position.

8. A shock absorber for controlling the movement between relativelymovable parts comprising a fluid-containing chamber arranged to bemounted upon one of said parts, a rotatable unit operatively disposedWithin said chamber, said unit including a hollow sleeve having inletand outlet ports and a check valve operative associated with the inletport, an operating arm secured to said rotatable unit and having thefree end thereof connected to the other of said relatively movableparts, and means for causing the fluid in said chamber to be drawn intothe interior of said hollow sleeve upon movement of said operating armin one direction, said check valve beupon oscillation of said cylinderin one direction, and means for forcing said fluid out of said cylinderand into said chamber by way of said constricted opening, said lastmentioned means being operable upon sudden oscillation of said cylinderin the opposite direction.

RODERIC M. CROSS.

